Uhlsport United Counties League (Division 1) – November 11
The Miners were looking to continue their fine form in the league and after only 10 seconds of the game the hosts could have gone in front, Buba Ceesay latched onto a long ball and drove away but his cross just evaded Gian Ciaurro in the area.
Radford, who finished just outside of the playoffs last campaign had the ball in the net after 7 minutes as Jevin Seaton squared the ball to James Reynolds who was deemed to be offside and the goal was ruled out.
Both sets of fans were in fine voice throughout pushing their teams on and on 20 minutes the hosts went close again, Cedric Nguedon pressured the Radford backline and he found Jack Vipond who teed up skipper Josh Thornton whose effort from 20 yards was comfortably saved.
On 38 minutes the miners created their best chance yet, Daniel Momah was picked out by Zac Hill and Momah raced 1v1 but his effort was superbly saved by the visitors keeper and this miss turned to be costly as a minute later Radford went in front as Seaton won a flick on to Tyler Dacres who’s cross found the unmarked Reynolds who smashed a first time volley into the bottom left corner leaving Josh Mitchell no chance in the hosts goal.
Gedling response was immediate as on 41 minutes they were level, Steven Brett picked out Ciaurro who beat his man and put a perfect cross in for the onrushing Kieran Harrison who headed it in brilliantly from 10 yards for his 20th of the season.
But in first half stoppage time the visitors retook the lead with a moment of individual brilliance, Seaton who was Radford’s top scorer this season and last season picked up the ball 25 yards from goal and hit a swerving right footed effort into the bottom corner to give the visitors a 1-2 lead heading into the break.
Gedling came out of the traps quickly and on 47 minutes they were level again, a long ball forward was missed by the Radford keeper and Hill kept his cool and slotted the ball into the net from 12 yards out.
On 51 minutes the hosts took the lead for the first time and it was a superbly worked goal. Mitchell picked out Ciaurro who controlled brilliantly to find Vipond who picked out Hill in the area and he looked to be going wide but he slammed a powerful effort from 16 yards inside the near post to send the home faithful crazy.
Gedling did not rest on this and on 55 minutes they should have had a fourth as Harrison’s corner was met by Brett but he blazed over from 6 yards out.
Radford were still in the game and on 66 minutes they almost drew level as Dacres found some space in the hosts half and his effort from 22 yards took a deflection and Mitchell did superbly to tip the effort round the post.
The game was still in the balance and on 72 minutes Hill almost had his hat-trick as Ciaurro saw his effort saved and Hill brought the ball down and slammed it towards goal but the visitors captain Conor Moore somehow blocked his effort from going in.
This proved to be decisive as on 84 minutes Moore headed the visitors level as he headed in a Abdul Saad freekick to send the Radford fans crazy.
With the 90 almost up Gedling almost snatched all 3 points, Ross McCaughey stood over a free kick just in from the touchline and his left footed effort looped over the keeper but it crashed the crossbar and the visitors cleared and the game ended 3-3 to extend Gedling’s unbeaten run in the league to six matches.
Gedling MOM – Daniel Momah
Gedling Team : Josh Mitchell, Daniel Momah, Buba Ceesay, Ross McCaughey, Steven Brett (Muta Eisa 68’), Adrain Hawes, Josh Thornton (C), Kieran Harrison, Gian Ciaurro (Jack Jepson 68’), Jack Vipond, Cedric Nguedon (Zac Hill 30’).
